Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080287994 | Pedicle Screw and Rod System - A pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and an opening for accepting the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The system further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The system also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the planar portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the planar portion. | 11-20-2008 |
20090143863 | METHOD FOR DISC REGENERATION USING STEM CELL DERIVED CHONDROPROGENITORS - A method for restoring a degenerated intervertebral disc. The method includes preparing a material including embryonic stem cells, placing the material in the degenerated disc and causing the material to generate notochordal cells in the disc to regenerate the disc. Preparing the material includes differentiating the embryonic stem cells into chondroprogenitors. | 06-04-2009 |
20090259258 | VERTEBRAL DISC TENSIONING DEVICE - A vertebral disc tensioning device that restores the loss of disc height as a result of disc degeneration and other factors. The device includes first and second pedicle screws each including a screw body portion and a ball head. The device also includes first and second screw head portions each including an internal threaded bore where the first screw is inserted in the first screw head portion and is pivotally mounted relative thereto and the second screw is inserted in the second screw head portion and is pivotally mounted thereto. The device also includes a rigid connector that couples the first and second screw head portions where bolts are threaded through the connector and into the internal threaded bores of the first and second screw head portions. The device also includes a spring assembly offset from the rigid connector that applies a bias to separate the pedicle screws. | 10-15-2009 |
20100222817 | INTERSPINOUS PROCESS SPACER DEVICE INCLUDING A ROTATABLE RETAINING MEMBER - A spacer device that is to be inserted between the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the spacer device is percutaneously inserted between the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The spacer device includes a body portion having a channel extending therethrough, a plate member attached at one end of the body portion that is larger cross-wise than the body portion, and at least one retaining member attached proximate to an opposite end of the body portion from the plate member. The spacer device is inserted between the spinous process with the retaining member stored within the body portion. A deploying device is inserted into the channel to deploy the retaining member to lock the spacer device in place. | 09-02-2010 |
20110004226 | AXIAL NEEDLE AND SUTURE DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD - A needle delivery device that has particular application for providing needles for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The device includes an elongated pincher having opposing rails that is slidable within a channel defined in an extended base portion. Widened end portions of the rails hold the needle and push it out of an end of the device where it is released. The pincher is then retracted to a location where the end portions can pick up a next needle to be delivered. | 01-06-2011 |
20110077740 | Minimally Invasive Interbody Device Assembly - A minimally invasive interbody device assembly that includes an interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae and an instrument detachably coupled to the interbody device for positioning the device in the disc space and delivering bone material to the disc space that is distributed on both sides of the interbody device. The device is inserted into the disc space using the instrument in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated by the instrument so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then forced down the instrument so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the device. The instrument is then detached from the device. | 03-31-2011 |
20110118794 | SELF DISTRACTING PEDICLE SCREW DISTRACTION DEVICE - A pedicle screw distraction device that includes first and second pedicle screws each including a screw body portion and a ball head. The device also includes first and second screw head portions each including an internal threaded bore where the first screw is inserted in the first screw head portion and the second screw is inserted in the second screw head portion. The device also includes a connector link coupled to the first and second screw head portions where the connector link includes an outer perimeter portion having a slot therein. A spring member is positioned within the connector link between and in contact with the first and second screw head portions. A locking member including a plate and a separating portion is positioned between the screw head portions and an inside wall of the connector link where the separating portion is positioned between the screw head portions. | 05-19-2011 |
20110190788 | ROBOTIC SURGICAL DEVICE IMPLANT SYSTEM - A robotic surgical device positioning system that allows a surgeon to accurately and remotely position a surgical instrument relative to a patient and to provide fluoroscopic images of the instrument without exposing the surgeon to radiation. The system includes a vertical post that is slidebly coupled to an operating table, a clamp mounted to the vertical post and spaced from the table, and a translational arm mounted to the clamp. The system further includes an instrument positioning assembly mounted to the translational arm opposite to the clamp that includes a plurality of sliding elements that are slidebly mounted to the assembly to provide rotational, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral positioning of the surgical instrument. A control unit is mechanically coupled to the instrument positioning assembly at a remote location by flexible cables for controlling the position of the sliding elements. | 08-04-2011 |
20120065613 | Methods and Systems for Interbody Implant and Bone Graft Delivery - A bone graft system for providing bone graft material to a site of interest includes a multiple unit bone graft material loading device and a conduit. The multiple unit bone graft material loading device is configured to accept a plurality of pre-formed bone graft material units and includes a plurality chambers configured to accept a pre-formed bone graft unit. The conduit includes a first opening and second opening. The first opening is operably connected with the multiple unit bone graft material loading device to accept bone graft material from the multiple unit bone graft material loading device. The second opening is configured to deliver bone graft material to a site of interest. | 03-15-2012 |
20120071923 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE VERTEBRAL LAMINAR RECONSTRUCTIVE PLATE - A laminar plate that reconstructs or supports the lamina of a vertebra after lamina bone has been removed during spinal surgery and prevents bone growth material from entering the spinal canal. The laminar plate spans a gap from the removed lamina bone and is coupled to, or proximate to, and between a facet and the spinous process by screwing the plate to the bone. | 03-22-2012 |
20120071931 | METHOD FOR SURGICALLY ATTACHING A VERTEBRAL LAMINAR RECONSTRUCTIVE PLATE - A method for attaching a laminar plate to a vertebra during spinal surgery, especially minimally invasive spinal surgery, to reconstruct the lamina of the vertebra after it has been removed during the surgery and prevent bone re-growth material from entering the spinal canal. The laminar plate can be coupled to, or proximate to, and between a facet and the spinous process by screwing the plate to the bone. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078059 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE SUCTION RETRACTOR - A suction retractor including an elongated tube that is operable to be inserted through a tubular retractor used in minimally invasive surgical procedures. One end of the tube is coupled to a handle having a chamber and the other end of the tube is coupled to a curved retractor portion, where the retractor portion allows the surgeon to hold back various anatomies during the surgical procedure. Thus, the suction retractor provides two functions that may otherwise require two different instruments. The retractor portion includes a series of parallel groves that allow liquids, such as blood, to flow along the retractor portion and into a suction port at the end of the tube. A suction device can be coupled to an outlet port in the handle that causes the blood and other surgical material to be sucked through the tube and out of the handle. | 03-29-2012 |
20120123476 | CERVICAL FUSION PLATE - A fusion plate that comprises a plate body including extended portions at one end of the plate body with a slot therebetween and extended portions at an opposite end of the plate body with a slot therebetween. The fusion plate further comprises a first pair of holes in the plate body and a second pair of holes in the plate body. The fusion plate also comprises a first locking member slideably engageable to the plate body and being operable to slide over the first pair of holes and a second locking member slideably engageable to the plate body and being operable to slide over the second pair of holes. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123483 | METHOD FOR PLACEMENT OF A PEDICLE SCREW AND ROD SYSTEM - A method for placement of a pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and an opening for accepting the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The system further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The system also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the planar portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the planar portion. | 05-17-2012 |
20120165873 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE PERCUTANEOUS PEDICLE SCREW AND SLOTTED ROD ASSEMBLY - A pedicle screw and rod assembly that has particular application for minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. The assembly includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The assembly also includes two cannulated posts that extend above a cannulated pedicle screw to allow placement over a K-wire. A head portion accepts the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The assembly further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The assembly also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the portion. | 06-28-2012 |
20120197279 | UP CUTTING KNIFE WITH SUCTION - An up-cutting knife that has particular application for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The knife includes an elongated tube that is operable to be inserted through a tubular retractor used in minimally invasive surgical procedures. One end of the elongated tube includes a curved head portion having a cutting blade formed on a top surface thereof and a suction port, and an opposite end of the tube is coupled to a handle having a chamber. A suction device can be coupled to an outlet port in the handle that causes blood and other surgical material to be drawn through the tube and out of the handle. | 08-02-2012 |
20120283751 | NEEDLE AND SUTURE DELIVERY DEVICE - A needle delivery device that has particular application for providing needles for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The device includes an elongated pincher having opposing rails that is slidable within a channel defined in an extended base portion. Widened end portions of the rails hold the needle and push it out of an end of the device where it is released. The pincher is then retracted to a location where the end portions can pick up a next needle to be delivered. | 11-08-2012 |
20130006365 | Methods and Systems for Interbody Implant and Bone Graft Delivery - A bone graft system for providing bone graft material to a site of interest includes a multiple unit bone graft material loading device and a conduit. The multiple unit bone graft material loading device may be configured to accept a plurality of pre-formed bone graft material units and includes a plurality chambers configured to accept a pre-formed bone graft unit. The conduit may include a first opening and second opening. The first opening may be operably connected with the multiple unit bone graft material loading device to accept bone graft material from the multiple unit bone graft material loading device. The second opening may be configured to deliver bone graft material to a site of interest. | 01-03-2013 |
20130184756 | DISC DISTRACTION DEVICE - A disc distraction device comprising a first pedicle screw having a mounting end and a head end, a second pedicle screw having a mounting end and a head end, a rigid interconnection member coupled proximate the head end of both the first and second pedicle screws, and a spring member coupled to the first and second pedicle screws closer to the mounting ends of the pedicle screws than the rigid interconnection member. | 07-18-2013 |
20140255354 | BARRIER CELL TREATMENT FOR MALIGNANT OR BENIGN TUMORS - A method for administering a barrier cell treatment for malignant or benign tumor cells. The method includes preparing a material including chondrocytes and placing the material around the tumor cells. Preparing the material can include harvesting and culturing chondrocytes from the patient. | 09-11-2014 |
20140276591 | PERCUTANEOUS INTERVERTEBRAL ANNULAR REGENERATION - A regeneration device and method for sealing annular tears between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The regeneration device includes a trocar having a sharp tip at a distal end, an inner cavity, and a handle portion attached to a proximal end of the trocar. The device further includes a plunger coupled to a catheter that extends through the inner cavity. The regeneration method includes inserting the trocar into an intervertebral disc via Kambin's triangle, and once the trocar reaches the nucleus pulposus, the catheter is extended alongside the annulus fibrosus wall to surround the nucleus pulposus. A syringe is mounted to the plunger and injects a biochemical, biological and/or synthetic material through multiple ports in the catheter to form a collagen barrier that prevents the nucleus pulposus from protruding through the annulus fibrosus. | 09-18-2014 |